Residents near Guadalupe express worries about railroad safety post fatal track incident.

Authorities have confirmed that the driver who tragically lost his life in the train and tanker truck accident near Guadalupe on Wednesday was Santiago Saucedo Sr., aged 58, from Santa Maria. The incident occurred around 4:15 p.m. on October 1 when Saucedo turned onto a dirt road leading to an agricultural field near Highway 1 and Brown Road. An Amtrak train traveling northbound collided with the right side of his truck, causing Saucedo's passing and spilling 3,500 gallons of diesel fuel from the tanker. This collision resulted in the closing of Highway 1 from Brown Road to Highway 166 until early Thursday morning and later for further cleanup. Amtrak passengers are advised to check for any delays or cancellations as service in the area is still disrupted. Witnesses like Isaac Santoy, a regular commuter on that route, shared their accounts of the incident, expressing concerns about safety measures on the road. The accident has raised worries among local residents, such as Jorge Luna Granados, who called for enhanced safety measures near the tracks to protect pedestrians and workers. The Federal Railroad Administration reported a high number of similar incidents nationwide in 2024, with California ranking second in the country for such accidents. The investigation and cleanup at the crash site are ongoing, with outreach to Amtrak and local authorities for comments on any prior incidents at the crossing or plans for improvements. Unfortunately, no one was available for comment at this time.